What type of operation typically includes both cow-calf and feedlot phases?

Beef operations typically encompass both the cow-calf phase and the feedlot phase. In the cow-calf phase, calves are born and raised alongside their mothers until they are weaned, ensuring that high-quality breeding and management practices are followed to produce healthy calves. After the weaning process, these calves may be sold or transferred to a feedlot, where they are fed a high-energy diet to promote rapid growth before being prepared for market.

Grass-fed operations mainly focus on raising cattle that are only fed grass and forage, which does not necessarily include the feedlot phase, as these operations often do not use concentrated feed. Stocker operations specifically refer to the phase of grazing weaned calves until they reach a certain weight, but they do not generally incorporate the complete cycle of both cow-calf and feedlot phases. Heifer operations focus on raising young female cattle for breeding purposes and do not typically involve the broader phases characteristic of comprehensive beef operations.

Thus, beef operations represent the full spectrum of cattle production, including both the cow-calf and feedlot phases, making it the correct choice for this question.